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Phase: Research Missions: EXPLORE THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Revitalizing Neighborhoods through Street art

Can street art have an impact on women's safety and empowerment?

Photo of Luisa Fernanda
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In Shahpur Jat, an urban village in south Delhi, artists from various countries, including India, have painted about eight walls to bring vitality to this neighbourhood. Artists are responsible for asking building owners for permission to paint on their walls. Arjun Bahl, coordinator of the St.Art Delhi festival, the organisation behind this initiative, says that it was hard at the beginning to get the buy-in from the community, but once one was up others started requesting murals.

Hanif Kureshi, the 30-year-old creative director of the organisation, says that paintings have had a socio-economic impact on the neighbourhood. They  bring more business and attract individuals from different neighbourhoods who wouldn't usually visit the village. This process intervenes normal power structures within a city where people from low-income areas usually have to travel for a long time to have access to museums or art. It also attracts economic development, which, if handled properly, could bring more livelihood opportunities for its residents.

How might artists include the community to create safety and empowerment in low-income urban areas in cities around the world?
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Photo of Meena Kadri

Am glad you managed to check out St.Art Delhi. Hanif and co have done lots of hard work to co-ordinate this and it's awesome to see your photos.

You question made me think of this intuitive – where children are part of the art making: http://www.atelierfavela.org/en/atelier-favela/mission/ I'm sure there are other global examples – hopefully others here can share more...

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Photo of Meena Kadri

Also made me think about: http://www.openideo.com/challenge/impact/inspiration/impact-through-creatively-led-conversations Although not especially for kids, young people could get involved in sparking community conversations along these lines?

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